Organizations
Campus Groups
Academic & Pre-Professional Groups:
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA)
The Association of Latino Professionals for America wants to help build better Latino leaders. They work with accounting firms, finance firms, tech companies, and other industries. Companies they work with range from Google to Disney to Goldman Sachs, EY, and KPMG. If you want a summer internship, a job, or a network of other Latino professionals email alpfand@nd.edu.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Notre Dame
The purpose of this student chapter is to: 1. Increase the number of underrepresented students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the University of Notre Dame. 2. Promote the advancement of underrepresented STEM students in employment and education. 3. Improve the retention of underrepresented students enrolled in STEM majors. 4. Provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to underrepresented STEM students enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. 5. Develop a working network with local schools to encourage pre-college, underrepresented students to enter the STEM fields. 6. Promote professional advancement for underrepresented STEM students by fostering cooperation among industry, government, academic, and professional leaders to improve educational and employment opportunities. 7. Provide counseling and financial assistance to underrepresented students in STEM. For more information, please contact us at shpe@nd.edu.
Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA)
The Hispanic Law Students Association promotes the professional needs and goals of Hispanic law students. HLSA fosters an environment supportive of mutual understanding and fellowship within the University of Notre Dame and the Law School community, while raising awareness of the achievements and concerns of the Hispanic community. Membership includes students who are bilingual and bicultural. HLSA considers diversity an asset, instilling values of cultural and racial sensitivity and allowing service as a bridge between Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic American. For these reasons, the organization seeks not to isolate Hispanic students, but to organize activities within the Law School community to apprise other students about Hispanic issues. Contact: Paula Ortiz Cardona at portizca@nd.edu.
Latino Honors Society (LHS)
The Latino Honor Society proudly recognizes the academic, service, and cultural accomplishments of its undergraduate student members at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College. Academic excellence, community service, and Latino cultural engagement are the foundational pillars of LHS. You may contact the officers at latinohs@nd.edu.
Latinx Graduate Association at Notre Dame (LGAND)
A group committed to meeting the needs of Notre Dame Latinx graduate students and fostering fellowship and dialogue with other campus groups. We organize social, professional development, and community service events every semester. Join our group by emailing latgrad@nd.edu. All graduate students with an interest in Latinx culture are welcome!
Community Organizing:
La Fuerza
La Fuerza is a Latin American and U.S. Latino culture club at Saint Mary's College that is open to the tri-campus community. Their goal is to educate the campus community on the many Latino cultures as well as act as a support system for fellow classmates, regardless of whether they identify themselves as Latina/o or not. Members partake in social and leadership development opportunities on and off campus, such as dances, restaurant outings, and workshops. La Fuerza also emphasizes serving the needs of Latina women and their communities. Some of their featured events are Dia de Los Muertos, Posadas, and Week of Action, among others. Contact: lafuerza@saintmarys.edu or smc_lafuerza on Instagram.
Latino Student Alliance (LSA)
The Latino Student Alliance aims to foster a welcoming community for entering and returning Latino students at Notre Dame. However, LSA wishes to include the non-Latino student as well. Through a varied combination of social events, service work, and educational awareness programs, LSA looks to strengthen not just the bonds between latinos but between latinos and non-latinos as well. For more information contact lsa@nd.edu.
Student Coalition for Immigration Advocacy (SCIA)
The Student Coalition for Immigration Advocacy works to promote the issue of immigration on campus, in the local community, and at the state and national levels. They advocate for immigrant rights based on Catholic Social Teaching. They meet every Wednesday at 8 pm in the McNeill Room of LaFun. For more information, contact scia@nd.edu.
Cultural:
Mariachi ND
Notre Dame's best Mariachi! They have been supplying the campus with traditional Mexican Music since 1995. For those who love Vicente Fernández and those who just googled his name, MariachiND is Notre Dame's premier mariachi band, dedicated to spreading appreciation for Mexican folk music, Valentine's Day serenade shenanigans, and generally being pretty baller. Virtuoso musical skills not required. Practice is once a week and they play gigs on campus and locally. If you can sing, play guitar, trumpet, or violin, they'd love to have you. For more information feel free to contact mariachi@nd.edu.
Ballet Folklorico Azul y Oro
Ballet Folklorico Azul Y Oro is a Mexican folkloric performing arts group. They perform in several events throughout the year including Fiesta Del Sol, Dia de los Muertos, Guadalupe Mass, Latin Expressions, and the Project Fresh Show. No experience is necessary to join. Contact bfayo@nd.edu for more information.
Coro Primavera
Coro Primavera is the only Spanish choir on campus! They perform at the weekly Spanish Mass in Cavanaugh Hall's chapel at 11:30 am, as well as at various cultural and religious events on and off campus. They seek members who are eager to share in the Hispanic Catholic tradition through music. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your level of Spanish or musical experience. We practice Thursdays 7-9 pm in Dillon and Sundays before mass so feel free to pop in and check them out or to approach them after mass! Shoot them an email at coro@nd.edu.
Community Organizations
La Casa de Amistad
A local nonprofit that functions as a community center on the west side of South Bend. Founded by Fr. John Phalen in October of 1973 as a youth outreach program in response to the many needs of area Hispanic teenagers. La Casa now offers varied programs in an effort to edify Hispanic youth and adults in development of leadership skills, increase knowledge and appreciation of their own culture, and develop stronger self-esteem, encouraging fuller participation as community members. Establishing it‘s home since 1980 at 746 S. Meade St. La Casa de Amistad offers vital educational and life skills based programming for the Hispanic/Latino community and its neighbors in Michiana.
Holy Cross Catholic School
Established in 1929, Holy Cross is one of the oldest Catholic elementary schools in Indiana. Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, the school was built even before the church building was established. The Holy Cross priests and brothers recognized the importance of a school in their new parish. Holy Cross School was to be a place where faith could be taught, nurtured, and practiced freely. For over 85 years Holy Cross School has endured and prospered, standing as a testimony to the faith, hope, and courage of ‘west side’ South Bend immigrants.